Systems and method for dynamic content unlock and adaptive controls

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/147,539, filed Sep. 28, 2018, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORDYNAMIC CONTENT UNLOCK AND ADAPTIVE CONTROLS”, which claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/610,819, filed on Dec. 27, 2017,and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC CONTENT UNLOCK ANDADAPTIVE CONTROLS”, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to management of controlswithin a gaming environment. Electronic gaming uses controls to receiveuser inputs to affect a change within the game. These controls caninclude control sticks, steering wheels, buttons, and/or knobs. By usingthese controls, the user can interact with the game and cause a desiredaction within the game. However, the user's skill level at the gameaffects how the user interacts with controls. Traditionally, skill levelhas been compensated for via the adjustment of a difficulty level ofcontent presented as part of the electronic game. Such adjustment of thedifficulty level of content presented as part of the electronic game maynot be possible when the electronic game is in a multiplayer mode.Accordingly, further developments in electronic gaming are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for dynamicunlock. The system includes: a simulation vehicle, the simulationvehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface; acontent presentation system; and a processor. The processor can: providecontent to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level basedon a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the pluralityof controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to adifficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified userskill level, which modification affects at least one of: the at leastone interface; and at least one of the plurality of controls; and modifythe difficulty of the ride experience according to the identifiedmodification.

In some embodiments, the processor can receive user inputs and to affectcontent provided to the at least one passenger based on the receiveduser inputs. In some embodiments, identifying a modification includes:retrieving at least one modification threshold; and comparing theidentified user skill level to the at least one modification threshold.In some embodiments, the modification threshold includes: a firstthreshold to determine a low skill level; and a second threshold todetermine a high skill level.

In some embodiments, the modification includes a change to anoperability of at least one of the plurality of controls. In someembodiments, the change to the operability of the at least one of theplurality of controls includes unlocking the at least one of theplurality of controls. In some embodiments, the change to theoperability of the at least one of the plurality of controls includes:deactivating the at least one of the plurality of controls; andreassigning functionality of the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols to a second set of controls within the plurality of controls

In some embodiments, the processor can determine when the user inputsrelate to a critical function. In some embodiments, the at least one ofthe plurality of controls is deactivated when the user inputs receivedat the at least one of the plurality of controls are identified asrelating to a critical function. In some embodiments, the modificationincludes a change to a functional feature of the interface to change adifficulty of use of the interface.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for dynamicunlock. The method includes: providing content to at least one passengerof a simulation vehicle, the simulation vehicle including a plurality ofcontrols and at least one interface; identifying a user skill levelbased on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of theplurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identifying amodification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on theidentified user skill level, which modification affects at least one of:the at least one interface; and at least one of the plurality ofcontrols; and modifying the difficulty of the ride experience accordingto the identified modification.

In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving user inputs; andaffecting content provided to the at least one passenger based on thereceived user inputs. In some embodiments, identifying a modificationincludes: retrieving at least one modification threshold; and comparingthe identified user skill level to the at least one modificationthreshold. In some embodiments, the modification threshold includes: afirst threshold to determine a low skill level; and a second thresholdto determine a high skill level. In some embodiments, the modificationthreshold includes plurality of thresholds between a first thresholdcorresponding to a low skill level and a second threshold correspondingto a high skill level.

In some embodiments, the modification includes a change to anoperability of at least one of the plurality of controls. In someembodiments, the change to the operability of the at least one of theplurality of controls includes unlocking the at least one of theplurality of controls. In some embodiments, the change to theoperability of the at least one of the plurality of controls includes:deactivating the at least one of the plurality of controls; andreassigning functionality of the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols to a second set of controls within the plurality of controls Insome embodiments, the method includes determining when the user inputsrelate to a critical function. In some embodiments, the at least one ofthe plurality of controls is deactivated when the user inputs receivedat the at least one of the plurality of controls are identified asrelating to a critical function. In some embodiments, the modificationincludes a change to a functional feature of the interface to change adifficulty of use of the interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a system fordynamic unlock.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of the passenger area of thesimulation vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a graphical depiction of one embodiment of an interfaceincluding an aiming reticle.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process fordynamic unlock.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process fordetermining modification of at least one of: the content, the interface,and/or the user controls.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system or information processingdevice that may incorporate an embodiment, be incorporated into anembodiment, or be used to practice any of the innovations, embodiments,and/or examples found within this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides illustrative embodiment(s) only and isnot intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the illustrativeembodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment. It isunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope asset forth in the appended claims.

I. Introduction

Electronic gaming has traditionally increased the difficulty of gamingcontent to compensate for skill level of a player. While this change ingaming content can adequately address the skill level of an individualplayer, changing of content to match skill level becomes complicated insituations in electronic gaming with multiple players, and specificallyin electronic gaming when multiple players are collaborating to completea mission. In this circumstance, particularly when there is significantdifference between the skill levels of the players, the provided contentmay be too difficult or too easy for one or more of the players. Thisgap between the skill level and the difficulty can hamper enjoyment ofthe gaming experience.

In addition to pure electronic gaming, electronic gaming concepts arespilling into other activities such as, for example, simulations oramusement rides. In the case of amusement rides, the combination ofaspects of electronic gaming, such as the completion of a mission whileon the ride, can enhance passenger experience. However, as multiplepassengers may ride in a single simulation vehicle, the difficulty ofcontent cannot be easily adjusted without providing content that iseither too difficult or too easy.

Alternative to the changing of content, one or several controls and/orinterfaces could be modified to compensate for skill levels. This couldinclude identifying a skill level of a user of a set of controls andthen modifying one or several aspects of that set of controls to eitherincrease or decrease the difficulty level for that user. Thismodification can include, for example, activating or deactivating one orseveral controls or interfaces, changing the sensitivity of one orseveral controls or interfaces, changing aspects of one or severalinterfaces, reassigning controls, or the like. The modification of theset of controls can, in some embodiments, include the providing of auser notifier of the modification. This notifier could include, forexample, providing visual feedback, such as illuminating affectedcontrols, indicating the modification, providing tactile feedback, suchas vibration of affected controls, indicating the modification, and/orproviding audible feedback indicating the modification.

II. Dynamic Unlock System

With reference now to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of one embodimentof a system 100, also referred to herein as a dynamic unlock system 100,is shown. The system 100 can allow for dynamic unlock or modification ofcontrols, content, and/or interfaces according to a determined skilllevel of one or several passengers of an amusement ride, andparticularly of a simulation vehicle of the amusement ride.

The system 100 can include a processor 102 which can include, forexample, one or several processors or servers. The processor 102 can beany computing and/or processing device including, for example, one orseveral laptops, personal computers, tablets, smartphones, servers,mainframe computers, processors, or the like. The processor 102 can beconfigured to receive inputs from one or several other components of thesystem 100, to process the inputs according to one or several storedinstructions, and to provide outputs to control the operation of one orseveral of the other components of the system 100.

The system 100 can include memory 106. The memory 106 can represent oneor more storage media and/or memories for storing data, including readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, corememory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flashmemory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storinginformation. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is notlimited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices,and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain orcarry instruction(s) and/or data. The memory 106 can be an integral partof the processor 102 and/or can be separate from the processor 102. Inembodiments in which the memory 106 is separate from the processor 102,the memory 106 and the processor 102 can be communicatingly linked via,for example, communications network 130. The communications network 130can comprise any wired or wireless communication connection between someor all of the components of the system 100.

The memory 106 can include software code and/or instructions fordirecting the operation of the processor 102 and/or one or severaldatabases 106 containing information used by the processor 102 and/orgenerated by the processor 102. These databases include, for example, acontent database 106-A, a content modification database 106-B, aninterface modification database 106-C, a hardware modification database106-D, also referred to herein as a control modification database 106-D,and a threshold database 106-E.

The content database 106-A can include content for presentation topassengers of the amusement ride. In some embodiments, this content canbe for presentation to passengers of the simulation vehicle 108 and cancomprise video content, audio content, combined video and audio content,or the like. This content can be in the form of one or several films,movies, shows, simulations, interactive stories, or video games. In someembodiments, this content can include a mission, a storyline, a plot, ornarrative that may be dynamic based on received user inputs in that thereceived user inputs can affect the content.

The content modification database 106-B can include informationidentifying one or several modifications of the content for presentationto change the difficulty of that content. Such modifications caninclude, for example, changing the number of actions or opponents forcompletion of all or a portion of the mission, changing the requiredspeed for completion of the actions or the defeating of opponents,and/or increasing or decreasing the type or skill level of obstaclesand/or opponents.

The interface modification database 106-C can include information forimplementing one or several modifications of an interface 350.Specifically, this can include information used in implementing one orseveral modifications to one or several features of the interface, suchas one or several visible or audible features of the interface. Thesemodifications to the one or several features of the interface canincrease or decrease the difficulty of use of the interface 350. Theinformation in the interface modification database 106-C can beimplemented by the processor 102 to apply the modification to theinterface.

The hardware modification database 106-D can include informationidentifying one or several modifications to user controls. Thesemodifications can include, for example, locking or unlocking one orseveral controls, activating or deactivating one or several controls,and/or reassigning one or several controls. The information in thehardware modification database 106-D can be implemented by the processor102 to apply the identified modification to the user controls.

The threshold database 106-E can include data identifying one or severalthresholds. These thresholds can, in some embodiments, delineate betweenskill levels such as, for example, between relatively lower or higherskill levels. In some embodiments, some or all of these thresholds canbe linked with modifications identified in one of the modificationdatabases 106-B, 106-C, 106-D such that, when a threshold is crossed, amodifications associated with that threshold is identified.

The system 100 can include one or several simulation vehicles 108including, for example, a first simulation vehicle 108-A, a secondsimulation vehicle 108-B, and up to and including an N^(th) simulationvehicle 108-N. The simulation vehicle 108 can contain one or severalpassengers in, for example, a seat, a restraint system, or the like. Thesimulation vehicle 108 can transport passengers from a starting positionto a termination position, which starting position can be the locationat which passengers enter the simulation vehicle 108 and whichtermination position can be the location at which the passengers exitthe simulation vehicle 108. In some embodiments, the starting positionand the termination position can be co-located.

The simulation vehicle 108 and/or the components thereof can becommunicatingly connected with the processor 102. This communicationconnection can allow the providing of information to the simulationvehicle 108, which information can control operation of all or portionsof the simulation vehicle 108, and which communicating connection canallow the receipt of information from the simulation vehicle 108 by theserver 102, which information can include one or several user inputs atthe simulation vehicle 108.

The simulation vehicle 108 can include controls 109 that can include adisplay system 110 and an input system 112. The display system 110 canprovide information to the one or several passengers of the simulationvehicle 108 and the input system 112 can receive information from theone or several passengers of the simulation vehicle 108. In someembodiments, each simulation vehicle 108 can include the display system110 and the input system 112 such that, for example, the firstsimulation vehicle 108-A can include the first display system 110-A andthe first input system 112-A, and the second simulation vehicle 108-Bcan include the second display system 110-B and the second input system112-B, up to the N^(th) simulation vehicle 108-N which can include theN^(th) display system 110-N and the N^(th) input system 112-N.

III. Simulation Vehicle

With reference now to FIG. 2, an illustration of one embodiment of thepassenger area 300 of the simulation vehicle 108 is shown. Thesimulation vehicle 108 is mounted on the motion base 116 and thesimulation vehicle 108 includes controls 109 including the displaysystem features 110 and the input system features 112. The displaysystem features 110 can include, for example, one or several: displays304, including screens, monitors, touchscreens, or the like; one orseveral gauges 314, or the like. The input system features 112 caninclude one or several: buttons 302; pedals 306; steering wheels 308;control sticks 310; or the like. As further seen in FIG. 2, thesimulation vehicle 108 can include accommodations 318 which can includea seat, one or several passenger restraints, or the like.

In some embodiments, some or all of the user controls 109 can beredundant so that multiple users can control the same functionality ofthe simulation vehicle 108 and/or of the simulation, and in someembodiments, some or all of the user controls 112 can be non-redundantso that different users can control different functionality of thesimulation vehicle 108. In some embodiments, for example, some or all ofthe controls 109 can be organized into one or several control sets 320which, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, includes a first set 320-A and asecond set 320-B. Some or all of the controls in the control sets can beredundant so that passengers can perform one or several desiredfunctions with one or both of the first control set 320-A and the secondcontrol set 320-B.

In some embodiments, the display system features 110, and specificallythe displays 304 can provide an interface 350 viewable or accessible byone or several passengers of the simulation vehicle 108. In someembodiments, the interface can include one or several features 351, alsoreferred to herein as functional features, that can assist a passengerin performing or completing a task. These features can include, forexample, an aiming reticle 352, a heads-up display (“HUD”), or the like.The interface 350 can be modified to correspond to a skill level of thepassenger. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 3, the reticle 352 caninclude a base aiming ring 354 that can be modified to either adiminished aiming ring 356 or an expanded aiming ring 358. In someembodiments, for example, the base aiming ring 354 can be modified tothe diminished aiming ring 356 when the passenger skill level exceeds athreshold, and the base aiming ring 354 can be modified to the expandedaiming ring 358 when the passenger skill level drops below a threshold.Similarly, the diminished aiming ring 356 can be modified to the baseaiming ring 354 when the passenger skill level drops below a thresholdand the expanded aiming reticle 358 can be modified to the base aimingring 354 when the passenger skill level exceeds a threshold.

IV. Methods for Dynamic Unlock

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process 400 fordynamic unlock. The process 400 can be performed by all or portions ofthe system 100. The process 400 begins at block 402, wherein content isprovided to a passenger of the simulation vehicle 108. The content canbe retrieved from the memory 106 and specifically from the contentdatabase 106-A by the processor 102 and can be provided to a user orusers that can be one or several passengers of the simulation vehicle108 via, for example, the display system 110 of the simulation vehicle108. The provided content can comprise all or portions of a mission forcompletion by the passengers of the simulation vehicle 108 while on thesimulation vehicle 108 and/or while riding the amusement ride.

At block 404 of the process 400, one or several user inputs arereceived. These inputs can be received by the processor 102 from one orseveral simulation vehicles 108 of the amusement ride. These one orseveral inputs can be received at the simulation vehicles via the inputsystem 112 of the simulation vehicle 108, and specifically via the usercontrols 109 of the simulation vehicle 108. The user inputs can bereceived in response to the content provided in block 402 and the userinputs can affect the providing of content to the user as indicated inblock 406. In some embodiments, the content for presentation to thepassengers of the simulation vehicle can be modified according to thereceived user inputs by the processor 102.

At block 408 of the process 400, a skill level of a passenger of thesimulation vehicle 108 is determined. In some embodiments, this skilllevel can be determined based on the passenger's interaction with theprovided content, the mission, and/or the controls 109. This skill levelcan be, for example, based on control of a vehicle, engaging one or moreenemies or opponents, completion of objectives of the mission or taskswithin the mission, or the like.

The skill level can be determined in aggregate for all passengers withinthe simulation vehicle 108 or can be determined for an individualpassenger within the simulation vehicle 108. In some embodiments, forexample, a skill level can be determined or identified for eachpassenger of the simulation vehicle 108 based on the interaction of eachpassenger with the provided content, the simulation vehicle 108, and/orsome or all of the user controls 109. In some embodiments, for example,a first skill level can be determined for a first passenger using thefirst set 320-A of controls 109 and a second skill level can bedetermined for a second passenger using the second set 320-B of controls109. The skill level can be determined by the processor 102.

At block 410 of the process 400, one or several modification thresholdsare retrieved. In some embodiments, some or all of the modificationthresholds can delineate between skill levels at which no modificationof the content, interface 350, and/or user controls 109 is indicated andskill levels at which modification of the content, interface 350, and/oruser controls 109 is indicated. In some embodiments, the one or severalmodification thresholds can be retrieved by the processor 102 from thememory 106 and specifically from the threshold database 106-E.

At block 412 of the process 400, the user skill level identified inblock 408 is compared to a least one of the one or several modificationthresholds retrieved in block 410. This comparison can identify whetherthe user skill level is higher or lower than one or several ofmodification thresholds and thus whether a modification of the content,interface 350, and/or user controls 109 is indicated. This comparisoncan be performed by the server 102.

After the skill level has been compared to the at least one of the oneor several modification thresholds, the process 400 proceeds to decisionblock 414 wherein it is determined whether to modify at least one of thecontent, the interface 350, and/or the user controls 109 to therebychange the difficulty of the amusement ride. This determination can bemade by the processor 102 based on the result of the comparison in block412 of the user skill level to the at least one of the one or severalmodification thresholds. If it is determined that no modification isindicated, then the process 400 returns to block 402 and proceeds asoutlined above.

Returning again to decision block 414, if it is determined thatmodification is indicated, then the process 400 proceeds to block 416wherein the difficulty modification is identified. In some embodiments,this can include identifying which one or several of the content,interface 350, and/or user controls 109 to modify and how to modify thatone or several of the content, interface 350, and/or user controls 109.In some embodiments, this can include determining whether to, via themodification, increase or decrease the difficulty of the amusement ride,and the degree of increase or decrease to the difficulty of theamusement ride. These determinations can be made based on the results ofthe comparison of the skill level to the one or several thresholds inblock 412. In some embodiments, a degree to which a skill level exceedsor file blows a threshold can be used to determine the degree ofmodification and specifically the degree of increase or decrease to thedifficulty of the amusement ride. The identification of the modificationcan be performed by the processor 102.

In some embodiments, the difficulty modification can include a change inthe provided content to increase the difficulty of the content, a changeto the interface 350 to increase the difficulty of use of the interface,and/or a change to the controls 109 to increase the difficulty of use ofthe controls 109. In some embodiments, the change to the interface 350to increase the difficulty of use of the interface 350 can include achange to one of the features 351 of the interface 350 such as, forexample, changing a reticle 352 from having a base aiming ring 354 tohaving a diminished aiming ring 356. In some embodiments, the change tothe controls 109 can include activating or unlocking one or several ofthe controls 109, changing the sensitivity of one or several of thecontrols, or increasing the number of controls used by the passenger. Insome embodiments, a combination of content, interface 350, and controls109 can be modified to increase the difficulty of the amusement ride forthe passenger.

In some embodiments, the difficulty modification can include a change inthe provided content to decrease the difficulty of the content, a changeto the interface 350 to decrease the difficulty of use of the interface,and/or a change to the controls 109 to decrease the difficulty of use ofthe controls 109. In some embodiments, the change to the interface 350to decrease the difficulty of use of the interface 350 can include achange to one of the features 351 of the interface 350 such as, forexample, changing a reticle 352 from having a base aiming ring 354 tohaving an expanded aiming ring 358. In some embodiments, the change tothe controls 109 can include deactivating or locking one or several ofthe controls 109, changing the sensitivity of one or several of thecontrols, or decreasing the number of controls used by the passenger. Insome embodiments, a combination of content, interface 350, and controls109 can be modified to decrease the difficulty of the amusement ride forthe passenger.

At block 418 of the process 400, the identified modification isimplemented. In some embodiments this can include modifying contentprovided to the passenger, modifying at least one interface 350 withwhich the passenger interacts, and/or modifying some or all of thecontrols 109 with which the passenger provides inputs to the simulationvehicle. In some embodiments, the implementation of the modification canbe accompanied by one or several indicators provided to the passenger.These one or several indicators can notify the passenger of themodification, and these one or several indicators can include a visualindicator, a tactile indicator, and/or an audible indicator.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating one embodiment ofa process 500 for determining whether to modify at least one of thecontent, the interface 350, and/or the user controls 109 is shown. Theprocess 500 can be performed in the place of, or as a part of thedetermination of decision block 414 shown in FIG. 4. The process 500 canbe performed by the processor 102.

The process 500 begins at decision block 500 to wherein it is determinedif a modification is indicated because the passenger skill level ishigher than a modification threshold indicative of an elevated skilllevel. This determination can be made by the processor 102, and in someembodiments, this can include the determination that the amusement rideas currently configured is too easy for the passenger. Thisdetermination can be made based on the result of the comparison of thepassenger skill level to the modification thresholds as indicated instep 412 of FIG. 4. If it is determined that the passenger skill levelis sufficiently high to warrant a modification to increase thedifficulty of the amusement ride for that passenger, then the process500 proceeds to block 504 and advances to block 416 of FIG. 4 wherein amodification to increase the difficulty of the amusement ride isidentified as discussed above.

Returning again to decision block 502, if it is determined that thepassenger skill level is not higher than the modification thresholdindicative of the elevated skill level, then the process 500 proceedsdecision block 508 wherein it is determined if the passenger skill levelis lower than modification threshold indicative of a diminished skilllevel. This determination can be made by the processor 102 and caninclude the determination that the amusement ride as currentlyconfigured is too difficult for the passenger. This determination can bemade based on the result of the comparison of the passenger skill levelto the modification thresholds as indicated in step 412 of FIG. 4. If itis determined that the user skill level is not less than themodification threshold indicative of the diminished skill level, thenthe process 500 proceeds to block 510 and returns to block 402 of FIG. 4and proceeds as outlined above. If the skill level of the passenger isnot sufficiently high to warrant modification to increase difficulty andis not sufficiently low to warrant modification to decrease difficulty,then the amusement ride remains or can remain unmodified and content cancontinue to be provided to the passenger according to the process 400 ofFIG. 4 until the amusement ride ends or until the passenger skill levelexceeds or drops below a modification threshold.

Returning again to decision block 508, if it is determined that the userskill level is less than the modification threshold indicative of thediminished skill level, then the process 500 proceeds to decision block512 wherein it is determined if the function for which the passenger isdemonstrating a low skill level is a critical function. In someembodiments, for example, one or several tasks performed by passengersof the simulation vehicle 108 via inputs to the user controls 109 can beidentified as important or critical. This identification can be storedin the memory 106 and specifically in the content database 106-A. Insome embodiments, this determination of whether the function for whichthe passenger is demonstrating a low skill level is critical by theprocessor 102. In making this determination, the processor 102 can querythe memory for information relating to the function for which thepassenger is demonstrating a low skill level, and the processor 102 canreceive information from the memory 106, which information can indicatewhether the function for which the passenger has a low skill level iscritical.

If the function is critical, then the process 500 can proceed to block514 wherein the deactivation of one or several of the user controls 109is identified and/or wherein reassignment of the critical function isidentified. In some embodiments, the critical function can be protectedby deactivating the controls with which the passenger is performing thefunction and/or by enabling the processor 102 to automatically performthe function such as, for example, via an autopilot or autopilot likefeature or capability. In some embodiments, the critical function can beprotected by reassignment of the critical function to another passengerin the simulation vehicle 108. In some embodiments, this reassignmentcan be made to another passenger of the simulation vehicle 108 based onthe skill level of this other passenger and can include deactivating oneor several controls 109 used by the first passenger in performing thisfunction and activating one or several controls 109 with which thesecond passenger is to perform this function. In some embodiments, thiscan include deactivating some or all of the controls 109 in the firstset 320-A of controls and the activating of some or all of the controls109 in the second set 320-B of controls.

After deactivation and/or reassignment has been identified, or returningto decision block 512, if it is determined that the function for whichthe user has a low skill level is noncritical, then the process 500proceeds to block 516 and continues to block 416 of FIG. 4, wherein amodification based on the low skill level and/or the criticality of thefunction associated with the skill level is determined. In embodimentsin which the function is critical, the modification can include thedeactivation and/or reassignment identified in block 514, whereas inembodiments in which the function is noncritical, the modification mightnot include deactivation and/or reassignment as identified in block 514.

V. Computer System

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of computer system 1000 that is anexemplary embodiment of the processor 102 and can be used to implementmethods and processes disclosed herein. FIG. 7 is merely illustrative.Computer system 1000 may include familiar computer components, such asone or more data processors or central processing units (CPUs) 1005, oneor more graphics processors or graphical processing units (GPUs) 1010,memory subsystem 1015, storage subsystem 1020, one or more input/output(I/O) interfaces 1025, communications interface 1030, or the like.Computer system 1000 can include system bus 1035 interconnecting theabove components and providing functionality, such connectivity andinter-device communication.

The one or more data processors or central processing units (CPUs) 1005execute program code to implement the processes described herein. Theone or more graphics processor or graphical processing units (GPUs) 1010execute logic or program code associated with graphics or for providinggraphics-specific functionality. Memory subsystem 1015 can storeinformation, e.g., using machine-readable articles, information storagedevices, or computer-readable storage media. Storage subsystem 1020 canalso store information using machine-readable articles, informationstorage devices, or computer-readable storage media. Storage subsystem1020 may store information using storage media 1045 that can be anydesired storage media.

The one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces 1025 can perform I/Ooperations and the one or more output devices 1055 can outputinformation to one or more destinations for computer system 1000. One ormore input devices 1050 and/or one or more output devices 1055 may becommunicatively coupled to the one or more I/O interfaces 1025. The oneor more input devices 1050 can receive information from one or moresources for computer system 1000. The one or more output devices 1055may allow a user of computer system 1000 to view objects, icons, text,user interface widgets, or other user interface elements.

Communications interface 1030 can perform communications operations,including sending and receiving data. Communications interface 1030 maybe coupled to communications network/external bus 1060, such as acomputer network, a USB hub, or the like. A computer system can includea plurality of the same components or subsystems, e.g., connectedtogether by communications interface 1030 or by an internal interface.

Computer system 1000 may also include one or more applications (e.g.,software components or functions) to be executed by a processor toexecute, perform, or otherwise implement techniques disclosed herein.These applications may be embodied as data and program code 1040. Suchapplications may also be encoded and transmitted using carrier signalsadapted for transmission via wired, optical, and/or wireless networksconforming to a variety of protocols, including the Internet.

The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdescribed, and many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for dynamic unlock, the systemcomprising: a simulation vehicle comprising a plurality of controls andat least one interface comprising at least one functional feature; acontent presentation system; and a processor configured to: providecontent to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill based on aplurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality ofcontrols of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to adifficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified userskill, wherein the modification affects the at least one interface andat least one of the plurality of controls; and modify the difficulty ofthe ride experience according to the identified modification.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured toreceive user inputs and to affect content provided to the at least onepassenger based on the received user inputs.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein identifying a modification comprises: retrieving at least onemodification threshold; and comparing the identified user skill to theat least one modification threshold.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe modification threshold comprises: a first threshold to determine alow skill level; and a second threshold to determine a high skill level.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the modification comprises a change toan operability of at least one of the plurality of controls.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the change to the operability of the at leastone of the plurality of controls comprises unlocking the at least one ofthe plurality of controls.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the changeto the operability of the at least one of the plurality of controlscomprises: deactivating the at least one of the plurality of controls;and reassigning functionality of the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols to a second set of controls within the plurality of controls.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured todetermine when the user inputs relate to a critical function.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of controlsis deactivated when the user inputs received at the at least one of theplurality of controls are identified as relating to a critical function.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the modification comprises a changeto a functional feature of the interface to change a difficulty of useof the interface.
 11. A method for dynamic unlock, the methodcomprising: providing content to at least one passenger of a simulationvehicle, the simulation vehicle comprising a plurality of controls andat least one interface comprising at least one functional feature;identifying a user skill based on a plurality of user inputs received byat least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle;identifying a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience basedin part on the identified user skill, wherein the modification affectsthe at least one interface and at least one of the plurality ofcontrols; and modifying the difficulty of the ride experience accordingto the identified modification.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving user inputs; and affecting content provided to theat least one passenger based on the received user inputs.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein identifying a modification comprises: retrieving atleast one modification threshold; and comparing the identified userskill to the at least one modification threshold.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the modification threshold comprises: a firstthreshold to determine a low skill level; and a second threshold todetermine a high skill level.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein themodification threshold comprises plurality of thresholds between a firstthreshold corresponding to a low skill level and a second thresholdcorresponding to a high skill level.
 16. The method of claim 11, whereinthe modification comprises a change to an operability of at least one ofthe plurality of controls.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thechange to the operability of the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols comprises unlocking the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the change to theoperability of the at least one of the plurality of controls comprises:deactivating the at least one of the plurality of controls; andreassigning functionality of the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols to a second set of controls within the plurality of controls.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining when the userinputs relate to a critical function.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the at least one of the plurality of controls is deactivatedwhen the user inputs received at the at least one of the plurality ofcontrols are identified as relating to a critical function.
 21. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the modification comprises a change to afunctional feature of the interface to change a difficulty of use of theinterface.